BRITAIN’S meanest stray cat – who looks just a tiny bit like boxer Ricky Hatton - has become an international superstar after pictures of his battered face went viral.

Visually-challenged Fergal – whose closed-up right eye and slightly beaten-up look has earned him the nickname Ricky Catton - is now being feted with an endless supply of goodies from feline-lovers around the world because of his tragic story.

A life-time of fighting and fending for himself means feral Fergal has been left languishing at a cat sanctuary since he was rescued off the streets.

Animal lovers looking to adopt a pet are overlooking the crabby tabby because of his scars and broken teeth, yet this has not stopped Fergal gathering a worldwide following of online admirers.

So many of Fergal’s fans have been taken by his story they have been bombarding Cats Protection’s Chiltern Branch in Buckinghamshire with an endless supply of cash donations and gifts.

Fergal the cat has been compared to boxer Ricky Hatton (Image: CATS PROTECTION/GETTY)

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North America appears to be particularly taken by Fergal’s photos on Twitter – Fergal @ChilternCPCat – and Stateside followers have been ordering him gifts off Amazon and even sent a blanket so he can while away the days in comfort.

Fergal’s new found happiness is a long way from his days wandering around Chesham, fighting with other moggies and living on his wits, before being humanely trapped by the charity responding to recent reports of a “mean and ugly stray” at large.

Veterinary checks revealed besides having weeping abscesses on his face, Fergal is also FIV positive.

A tweet from the charity’s Chiltern Branch volunteers quickly saw Fergal attracting a small army of 1,800 social media followers, resulting in a continuing supply of food and treats arriving from donors around the world.

Kathryn Graves, secretary of Cats Protection’s Chiltern Branch, explained: “People started asking how they could send presents to Fergal and before we knew it we were inundated with monetary donations and gifts, including a handmade blanket and toy mouse all the way from New York by one of Fergal’s kind fans on Twitter.

“We have been sent over £600 so far, including donations in dollars and euros from Italy.

“We’ve received food, treats, toys, blankets, brushes and much more.

“There’s even someone from Southern California who has ordered a lot of gifts for him from our Amazon wish-list.

“What we really need now is a forever home for Fergal and, when he is matched with a new owner, his much-loved blanket will go to his new home with him along with his toys.

“He’s having lots of fun with his catnip banana toy, making up for lost time and will be an amazing companion for someone.

Fergal lying on his blanket with his toy mouse (Image: CATS PROTECTION)

Gifts Fergal received from people in Yorkshire (Image: CATS PROTECTION)

Gifts that Fergal has received (Image: CATS PROTECTION)

“After less than a week of being with us Fergal started accepting fuss and began trying to purr.

“He now loves cuddles and followers have been able to watch as his confidence grows.

One of Fergal’s American admirers, Heather Carpenter, who sent him a blanket from New York, said: “Fergal reminded me of my cat Fergus who passed away in 2012.

“When I first met my Fergus at the shelter, he had the same look in his eyes Fergal did in that first photo on Twitter, seeming to say ‘I'm terrified, lonely, have to be tough’ but with a measure of hope all mixed together.

“I sent the blanket because I think every cat needs to know he or she is loved.

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“Even knowing I can't adopt him, I fell in love with Fergal right away and wanted him to know that he is loved.

“Even when you're terrified and lonely, knowing someone, somewhere loves you makes all the difference.”

Anyone wishing to offer Fergal or any of his feline companions a home should call 0345 260 2396 or visit www.cats.org.uk/Chiltern.

Online donations for Fergal may be made via www.chiltern.cats.org.uk/chiltern/support-us or alternatively gifts and donations can be sent to Chiltern Cats Protection, Claydon House Business Centre, 1 Edison Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8TE.